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Dallas Stars: Three Takeaways From The 2017 Preseason

By Josh Clark

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza (90) is congratulated by right wing Brett Ritchie (25) after scoring in the 3rd period during the preseason game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild on September 30, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Minnesota defeated Dallas 5-1. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza (90) is congratulated by right wing Brett Ritchie (25) after scoring in the 3rd period during the preseason game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild on September 30, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Minnesota defeated Dallas 5-1. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 26: Mattias Janmark
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 26: Mattias Janmark /

1. Mattias Janmark Is Back And Better Than Ever

It’s hard not to be in Mattias Janmark’s corner.

Just a little over a year ago, Janmark’s sophomore season at the NHL level was cut off at the knees (literally). Due to a rare but complex knee issue that was discovered during the preseason, the 24-year-old was forced to sit out for the entire duration of the 2016-17 regular season.

In addition to that, there was a chance that the rehab would not work well enough and Janmark would have to hang up his skates for good. That is quite the hurdle for a rookie coming off of a surprisingly impressive first year in the league.

Fast forward to one year later and things are looking up. Not only are they looking up, but they are looking really, really good.

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Mattias Janmark- The Underrated Edmonton Oilers Forward
Mattias Janmark- The Underrated Edmonton Oilers Forward /

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    • After the ugly 2016-17 season ended, one of Nill’s first offseason moves involved re-signing Janmark, who was set to be an RFA on July 1. That was surprising, considering Janmark’s future was still uncertain and there were plenty of other players in need of contracts.

    But Nill obviously knew what he was doing. And now, it seems like it could pay off big time for the Dallas Stars.

    Throughout the summer, Janmark was the lone lingering question mark within the franchise. Was rehab still on track? Were things looking up? Would he ever play professional hockey again?

    Luckily, the answer to all three of those turned out to be yes. Janmark returned to the ice for a few skating sessions with teammates in early September before heading to training camp. No. 13 had a solid showing at camp and showed no signs of hindrance or fragility.

    Then the preseason began, and that’s when Janmark hit the gas. In three preseason games started, Janmark managed to score two goals and tally an assist. In addition to those stellar numbers, he also posted a +4 on-ice rating, the highest of any player on the Stars’ roster.

    His performance was impressive and encouraging, and that’s just what the Dallas Stars were looking for.

    The only question is whether he will be able to keep it up and continue to play at a fast and healthy rate. He is playing at a high level right now, but will he be able to keep it up? As long as his knee plays along, this could be a potentially huge year for Janmark.

    In his first season in 2015-16, he scored 15 goals and tallied 29 points while playing primarily third line minutes. If Janmark is slotted on the second line like he is projected to be this year, his impact could be overwhelming.

    All in all, it was an impressive camp and preseason for the young Swede. Not bad for a guy who had a 20 percent chance of never playing hockey again just one year ago.

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